Boston Marathon 2007

Dominance? Did I hear someone say "dominance"? That would be an improvement. What the Kenyans have done to the Boston Marathon, and a few other marathons, is establish a tyranny that certainly should be a very big embarrassment to the rest of the running world. Boston Marathon men's division winner Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya at the finish line at the 111th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2007.

Cheruiyot won for the 2nd year in a row and third time overall in an official time of 2 hrs, 14 mins and 13 secs to lead an all-Kenyan podium but was well shy of the race record he set last year of 2:07:14.

James Kwambai was 2nd, 20 seconds behind, with 2006 New York Marathon runner-up Stephen Kiagoro third in 2:14:47.

I was confident, Cheruiyot said. I was very strong. I had trained enough. I didn't fear anybody. Also the race was too slow. We were very cautious not to go too fast.

Lidiya Grigoryeva won in an official time of 2:29:18. Latvia's Jelena Prokopcuka was 2nd for the 2nd year in a row, losing by 40 seconds, with Mexico's Madai Perez 3rd, exactly one minute behind the winner.

Kenya's Rita Jeptoo, the 2006 Boston winner, was 4th in 2:33:08 with 2006 London Marathon winner Deena Kastor, hoping to be the 1st US man or woman to win at Boston since 1985, taking fifth in 2:35:09.

Cheruiyot, who also won here in 2003, became the 15th Kenyan man to win in the past 17 editions of the epic 26-mile classic.

Cheruiyot and Kwambai battled for several miles together late in the race but at a final water stop, Cheruiyot surged ahead as Kwambai reached for water and was never caught again.

Japanese athletes won the wheelchair events with Masazumi Soejima taking the men's race and Wakako Tsuchida claiming the women's crown.

Each winner received 100,000 dollars from a total prize money pool of 575,000 dollars.

A lot has changed for the Boston Marathon since its first run in the spring of 1897. Today, what is certainly the oldest and most revered marathon in the country, perhaps the world, began as a vision by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) founders, after witnessing the first-of-its-kind race at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

18 men leaped from the starting line in front of Metcalf's Mill in Ashland . The starting official had no gun; he simply shouted "Go!" to start the BAA marathon.

In the early years, runners endured the narrow and dusty dirt roads winding their way to Boston. Today, of course, the roads are wide and paved.

The race sure has come a long way in all these years.

This medal is what the 1st place winner received in 1897. ----->

Harley Davidson

1903 Harley Davidson

I have been a avid fan and rider of Harley Davidson for most of my life and I want to share a little history with all who may be Harley riders also. Arthur Davidson and William S. Harley were school friends who shared a mechanical passion and a strong desire to join the other motorcycle pioneers. They rekindled their relationship while working at the same factory in Milwaukee. Together they began to study mechanics focusing on motorcycle engines.

In 1901 they had four engines designed and ready to be fitted to bicycle frames. In 1903 the first Harley-Davidson motorcycles were built.

The brand name become very famous and appeared in ads and articles describing the motorcycle that would become a legend. Three motorcycles were produced between 1903 and 1904 and were sold before they were even built.

1928 Harley Davidson

During this time Walter C. Davidson Sr. and William A. Davidson joined Arthur Davidson and William S. Harley and the Harley Davidson Motor Company was officialy registered with the U.S. Trade and Company Register office on September 17th 1907. The management positions within the company were assigned at the registration with Walter C. Davidson as President, William A. Davidson as Vice-President and Works Manager, Arthur Davidson as Secretary and General Sales Manager, and William S. Harley to serve as Chief Engineer and Treasurer.

My new Harley Davidson (Birthday Gift)

In 1904 Harley-Davidson began participated in motorcycle racing and benefited from commercial implications of the numerous victories won by their bikes and in 1913 the company decided to establish an official racing team. Early racers such as Ralph Hepburn and Eddie Brink put Harley on the track and won races with these machines, later Joe Petreli and Red Parkhurst.

Joe Petreli first raced on an Indian motorcycle, and then made a name for himself by racing Harley-Davidson's. From 1926 untill 1931 Harley interrupted their racing and Petreli raced for the Excelsior Company, which was shut down in 1931. Petreli again raced for Harley when the company started their race teams back in 1931. Red Parkhurst became a big winner and had a long career of motorcycle racing for Harley. Participating in motorcycle racing gave Harley an edge on research and development of their motorcycles.

Harley Davidson motorcycle became the symbol of American individualism and ended up "KING OF THE ROAD", all in 100 years.

I set up a link at the top of this posting just click on the Title Harley Davidson and you will see a great web site about the history of how it all began and much more.